Every culture has its myths and old wives’ tales. They contain bits of folklore, unverified claims, and superstitions…and you probably could think of a few right now! . But here in I Timothy, the Apostle Paul is comparing these deceptive fables to the promises of God. He tells Timothy to avoid all forms of this godless chatter. For just like it takes physical exercise to make our bodies strong…he writes that we need to train or discipline our minds to reject the deception of fairy tales, myths, and old wives’ tales…and rather focus on the true promises of God, which have eternal benefits.
Tag: precious promise
II Peter 3:9 ” The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
God’s gracious gift of salvation is for everyone…for He wants all to be saved.( I Timothy 2:4) But we shouldn’t take His slowness in judgement as a sign of weakness, indecision, or wavering…but rather as long-suffering. For it’s only by God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience is He willing to give all of us the time to change our minds and repent.
Ephesians 2:12-13 ” Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”
We were all once, “…without hope and without God in the world.” We were separated from Him by a chasm so deep and wide… there was no way of getting across by ourselves. In this bleak darkness our desperation grew, and we felt the hopelessness of being abandoned. But God then provided the bridge across that vast chasm…it was in the shape of a Cross. The gracious gift of redemption and reconciliation was bound to this Cross as the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ, ran down it. Yes, we were all once hopeless and cut off from God…but then God built a bridge for us…in the shape of a Cross.
Psalm 42:5 ” Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”
The whole of mankind hoped with eager anticipation…awaiting the promise of the fulfillment of the coming Messiah…only to watch Him die a terrible and horrific death on the Cross. The day after that shocking event, the human soul was holding its breath…struggling to remember the words of Jesus while despair tried to crowd out any shred of hope. Human life hung in the balance between hope and hopelessness that fateful day. But God is the God of hope, (Romans 15:13) and we have this hope as an anchor. (Hebrews 6:19) So if today, you’re facing the impossible, the incurable, the irreversible…put your hope in God and fix your eyes on Him. For if God can raise Jesus from the dead, He can breathe life into your sick, dying body, revive a struggling marriage, or break the chains of addiction off a loved one. For as long as there is hope, there’s life.
II Peter 3:9 ” The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
God is not hesitating out of uncertainty…it’s not from indecision either that He has held off judging the world. No, it’s because of the Lord’s long-suffering grace and mercy that He delays the Judgment Day. For in I Timothy 2:4 it tells us, “God our Savior, Who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Our Lord wants no one to perish, but all to come to the saving reality of Jesus Christ…but neither will God wait forever.
Deuteronomy 26:18 ” And the Lord has declared this day that you are His people, His treasured possession as He promised, and that you are to keep all His commands.”
Later, in Titus 2:14 it says, “Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people who are His very own, eager to do what is good.” If as a Believer, we could fully grasp just how valued and cherished we are in the Lord’s sight, we would be radically changed. But we can grasp it in a fashion. Jesus Christ died in our place on that Cross…taking upon Himself our sins, in order that we may have a pathway to God. You want to know how precious you are to the Lord? Take a look at His hands and feet…He willingly endured that for you.
I Kings 8:23 ” O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below – You Who keep Your covenant of love with Your servants who continue wholeheartedly in Your way.”
He’s a promise keeping God. If He’s said it…He’ll do it. He’s also a faithful and trustworthy God…He will never go back on His promises. Have you trusted Him for something lately? Not just saying it, but really standing on His Word and believing? That kind of faith building strengthens our walk and allows us to rely on Him more. And as we come to rely on Him more, our love for Him grows, and so does our trust.
Matthew 6:25 ” Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life…”
How much time do I squander away worrying? I’d hate to count up the minutes I spend stressing over the most stupid things…worse case scenarios that 99.9% of the time never happen. Rather than worrying, we should be worshiping…rather than glorifying our anxiety, we should be exalting the Lord. For God has kept His promises to us in the past…and He’s not going to stop now.
I Corinthians 3:11 ” For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Anchor us O Lord. We are flailing and thrashing alone in the ocean of life…about to go down for the last time. Rescue us Lord and support us with You love and mercy. Let us be grounded by Your Word and have security in Your promises. For the only firm foundation we have is a Christ-shaped one that the Church can be built on. Anchor us O Lord.
Ephesians 2:14 ” For He Himself is our peace.”
This precious promise is for you today. A promise that will never be withdrawn…a lasting promise brought about by God’s infinite mercy for you. In John 14:27 our Lord states, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.” You have been bestowed with peace from Jesus Himself…receive this peace He offers you today.
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